Likud Demands Shin Bet Probe Alleged Foreign Interference in Israeli Elections
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
The Likud party has asked the Central Elections Committee chairman to involve the Shin Bet in investigating suspected foreign interference in Israeli elections. This follows a report that diplomats from friendly countries approached Haredi political figures about supporting a government led by Gadi Eisenkot. Likud's attorney stated that influencing government composition violates election integrity and requested the Shin Bet investigate potential illegal activities. The party seeks to prevent foreign intervention in the democratic process.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud demands Shin Bet probe alleged foreign interference in Israeli elections.
- Diplomats from friendly nations reportedly approached Haredi figures about supporting Gadi Eisenkot's government.
- Likud's attorney claims foreign influence attempts violate election integrity.
- The party cites security laws to justify Shin Bet involvement in preventing illegal activities.
- The request follows a report in "Israel Hayom" about diplomatic contacts.
The Likud party has urgently requested that the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, involve the Shin Bet security agency in investigating suspected foreign interference in Israel's election process. This demand follows a report alleging that diplomatic representatives from friendly nations have approached Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) political figures to gauge their potential support for a government led by Gadi Eisenkot.
Likud's attorney, Ilan Bombach, sent a letter to Sohlberg, with a copy to Shin Bet head David Zini, asserting that any attempt to influence the composition of the Israeli government constitutes a violation of election integrity. The party seeks to examine the reported information and explore measures to prevent foreign intervention if it is confirmed to have occurred.
The party's appeal is based on a report in "Israel Hayom" detailing how diplomatic envoys from countries friendly to Israel contacted Haredi political figures to inquire about their willingness to support Eisenkot and his potential government. The discussions reportedly also touched upon the possibility of Haredi parties joining such a government and the influence of rabbis on political decisions within the Haredi community.
Bombach argued that such planned activities by foreign states aimed at influencing Israel's government composition could exceed acceptable diplomatic boundaries and harm the democratic process. He cited sections of the General Security Service Law concerning the protection of democratic institutions and the prevention of illegal activities that could harm state security or the democratic order, calling for the Shin Bet to investigate and thwart any illegal activity.
While Likud's letter emphasizes the need for an urgent examination of these concerns, it does not specify concrete actions or remedies sought beyond the investigation itself.
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